Republicans sweep local legislative seats

Wednesday

Nov 7, 2018 at 12:01 AM

Republican Party Chairman Phil Williams called it a “red wave” before Tuesday’s final numbers were in.

But if you’re a Democrat, it probably looked more like a bloodbath.

This election brings a series of firsts, Williams said: The first Republican courthouse, the first ever all-Republican delegation and the first Republican to hold the District 28 seat in the House of Representatives.

Though people were keeping a close eye on the numbers as they came in, the atmosphere at the Republican gathering at The Venue at Coosa Landing was all party, all evening.

Perhaps the most closely-watched race was for Senate District 10 – pitting Republican Andrew Jones of Centre against Craig Ford, an 18-year veteran as a House Democrat, running this time as a independent.

“We always thought we had the possibility for a big win,” Jones said. “I’m just thankful for the support we’ve received.

“I’m going to work for all the people of District 10. I look forward to working for you for the next four years,” he told supporters Tuesday night.

For Jones, the job starts tomorrow, with a caucus meeting in Montgomery. He said his priorities are going to be the issues he campaigned on — infrastructure, economic development, education and protecting “our values.”

Ford said he was proud of what he’s been able to do in Montgomery for the people of the district, and what he’s been able to bring back to Etowah County.

“I think we’ve done a lot of good for the county and for public education,” Ford said. “No matter who is in the Legislature, we need to pray for them” as they work to serve the district.

Asked what’s in his future, Ford said “time, time, time.” His first order of business will be to spend time with his family.

Otherwise, Ford said he wouldn’t rule out politics in the future.

He also said he would like to get back into coaching youth sports, possibly high school sports.

In Etowah County, Jones received 18,349 votes, in unofficial totals, to Ford’s 14,745. In Cherokee, it was Jones 6,487, Ford 1,695. In DeKalb County, Jones took 973 votes to Ford’s 256.

Rep. Becky Nordgren won re-election in House District 29 with 72.5 percent of the vote in Etowah County to Democrat Jared Millican’s 27.5.

Speaking to the crowd, Nordgren said would enjoy being the senior member of the delegation.

Looking over at the other newly elected members, she joked, “You guys are going to have to get my coffee.”

Nordgren was reluctant to say much until the results were final. She thanked family and supporters.

Nordgren was monitoring results in DeKalb County, where eight boxes were in District 29, and in Calhoun where three boxes were in the district, throughout the evening. She carried all three counties included in the district.

In unofficial results, Nordgren received 8,284 votes in Etowah County to Millican’s 2,284; in DeKalb County, 1,658 to 289; and in Calhoun County, 1,547 to 242.

Gil Isbell was guarded in claiming a win in the District 28 race as well. That race was the closest of the House contests, with Isbell winning with 55.3 percent of the vote over Democrat Kyle Pierce.

Isbell said his first priority will be getting everyone working together.

“We have a Republican delegation,” he said, “but it takes everyone to get the work done.”

He said that included not just the delegation, but the County Commission and the mayors and city councils.

Funding, of course, will be the big question, he said. Isbell said the state needs to maximize the funding it has, but that he would support a lottery for education if the measure for it is properly written.

Isbell received 7.079 votes to Pierce’s 5,715.

Craig Lipscomb won the District 30 seat, defeating Democrat Jared Vaughn with 81.4 percent of the vote.

As Williams said, he had to win three elections — the primary, the runoff and the general vote — and two legal challenges.

“It has been a tough election process,” Lipscomb said. “We will be getting down to business next week” when he has his first meeting in Montgomery.

Lipscomb said he was grateful for the way people in St. Clair County responded to his campaign, knowing that he was from Etowah County.

“St. Clair County has been a real blessing to us,” he said. “They really opened their arms.” He carried St. Clair, 5,287 votes to Vaughn’s 985.

In Etowah County, Lipscomb took 8,434 votes to Vaughn’s 1,924, in unofficial results.

He said he does not have priorities, that he’s not going to Montgomery with an agenda.

Along with the Republican sweep, the big story of the day was the voter turnout.

As Gary Walls congratulated Lipscomb on his win, he talked about that turnout.

At his polling place in the New Union community just outside Boaz, Walls said there were 397 voters in the primary election. For the midterm vote Tuesday, 790 votes were cast there.

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